Movie Review: Letters from Iwo Jima

I'm not really a qualified movie critic, so this isn't so much a review as it is my personal opinions.  I recall the original release of "Letters from Iwo Jima"...  not because it was nominated for some Academy Awards, but because there was a lot of controversy around it's content.  I'm not much for controversy, so I watched it with an open mind and I won't address any of those points of dispute (it's not my place).

I thought Letters from Iwo Jima was an excellent movie and I really enjoyed it.  I think it's strongest point was the humanity that it brought to the Japanese armed forces in World War II.  Don't get me wrong, there was still a lot of things that occurred that were in-humane...  but you really grasp the fact that the Japanese soldiers had hopes, dreams, families, fears, etc.  In numerous ways, they were just like their enemies.  Many of them had no say in the decision to fight.

The movie really made me reflect on that human aspect and wonder why wars begin in the first place.  Studying World War II, it's easy to get caught up in all the weapons and killing and that aspect takes on a distant and unrealistic quality.  When you watch a movie like this, you really remember that it was awful and the real cost in the end.

If any of you have forgotten this movie was around (like me) and have never watched it, I highly recommend it.  I haven't seen "Flags of Our Fathers" yet because it's not available on Netflix (where I watched "Letters") and it's not available on Amazon streaming.  Anyone have feedback on "Flags"?  Is it just as good?

The Soundtrack is highly recommended as well...  somber yet powerful.  It helps set the tone for the movie for sure. Check it out below.